By David Joseph, Barbuda Tour Operator
Dear Minister of Tourism and CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA),
Recent public discussions surrounding improved air access between Antigua and Barbuda, particularly those linked to developments involving LIAT 2020 and regional connectivity – highlight a much broader and more urgent issue: the need for reliable, efficient, and affordable domestic air service between Antigua and Barbuda during the tourism season.
Every day, a significant number of visitors travel from Antigua to Barbuda for day trips and short stays. These visitors are eager to experience both islands, yet the current state of domestic air travel is consistently undermining that experience.
At present, SVG BMN Airways is the sole domestic airline operating between Antigua and Barbuda. Unfortunately, this monopoly has resulted in frequent operational challenges that directly affect visitors. It is not uncommon for travelers who booked on a 7:30 a.m. flight to arrive at the airport as early as 6:00 a.m., only to be delayed until 10:00 or even 11:00 a.m. By the time they finally reach Barbuda, they are often required to depart again by 4:15 p.m. with an airport check-in at 3:15 p.m. This leaves visitors with as little as 4 hours on the island – far from sufficient to enjoy Barbuda’s beaches, natural attractions, and cultural sites.
As a tour operator, I can confirm that this situation has repeatedly led to frustration and disappointment among visitors. Many return to Antigua upset, not because of Barbuda itself, but because of the unreliable transportation that prevents them from enjoying a full and meaningful experience.
According to information shared by representatives of SVG BMN Airways, the airline has faced ongoing maintenance issues, staff shortages, and pilot availability challenges over the past months. While these challenges may be operational realities, their impact on tourism is severe.
Compounding the problem, effective January 1, 2026, SVG BMN Airways increased its round-trip fare between Antigua and Barbuda from US$174.08 to US$220. This price hike is particularly concerning. A 15–20-minute domestic flight should not exceed US$150, especially when considering its importance to both tourism and inter-island mobility for residents. This increase affects not only visitors, but also Antiguans and Barbudans who regularly travel between the two islands for work, family, and essential services.
Unsurprisingly, higher prices combined with poor reliability are discouraging travel to and from Barbuda altogether.
The lack of competition in the domestic aviation market is at the heart of this issue. With SVG BMN Airways as the only operator, there is no alternative when flights are delayed, canceled, or overbooked. This environment allows for rising fares and declining service standards. It is time to seriously consider introducing additional carriers, such as Winair or FlyMontserrat – into the Antigua–Barbuda domestic market, particularly during the peak tourism season from November to April.
Tour operators, hoteliers, and other tourism stakeholders need options. A single airline cannot adequately serve the growing demand for reliable domestic travel between the two islands. A competitive environment would improve service quality, stabilize pricing, and provide backup options when operational issues arise.
From a practical standpoint, a minimum of four round-trip flights per day is needed during the tourism season. These could be serviced by a combination of 7-seater islander aircraft and 19-seater twin otters, with a schedule such as:
- 7:30 a.m. Antigua → Barbuda | 8:00 a.m. Barbuda → Antigua
- 8:30 a.m. Antigua → Barbuda | 9:00 a.m. Barbuda → Antigua
- 4:00 p.m. Antigua → Barbuda | 4:30 p.m. Barbuda → Antigua
- 5:00 p.m. Antigua → Barbuda | 5:30 p.m. Barbuda → Antigua
This schedule would adequately serve:
- Day-trip visitors traveling from Antigua to Barbuda
- Guests vacationing in Barbuda who arrive in Antigua in the afternoon and require same-day connections
- Visitors checking out of Barbuda resorts in the morning and connecting to international flights from Antigua later in the day
Based on data shared by two tour operators working in both Antigua and Barbuda, more than 2,000 visitors undertook day trips to Barbuda in 2025 alone. This number is expected to grow. Ensuring reliable, affordable, and frequent air service is essential not only for tourism growth, but for protecting the reputation of Antigua and Barbuda as a world-class, well-connected destination.
Our visitors want to experience both islands, especially Barbuda’s pristine beaches and the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that access between Antigua and Barbuda enhances, rather than detracts from, that experience.
I respectfully urge the relevant authorities to address this matter with urgency and work toward introducing competition, improving scheduling, and restoring confidence in domestic air travel between our two islands.
David Joseph
Barbuda Tour Operator
Visitors don’t understand island logistics. They just know the trip was harder than expected.